As one of the smartphone leaders, the iPhone is a natural target for any mobile manufacturers looking to unseat Apple. In a week where RIM founder Mike Lazaridis has already claimed BlackBerry phones have an advantage over iPhone because of their lack of data-intensive apps, Microsoft has taken a similar swipe at Apple, claiming Windows Phone 7 handsets won’t be flooded with “6,000 different arcade puzzle games”.

In an interview with Mobile Entertainment, Microsoft’s head of marketing for Windows Phone in the UK Oded Ran said Microsoft’s new OS will put quality ahead of quantity.

“It’s not about whether you have 6,000 different arcade puzzle games in a specific category on your app store,” he told the site. “It’s about how good they are– it’s not about the number, it’s about the quality.”

It’s certainly a very pointed attack at Apple, but perhaps not one without some merit. The App Store is often accused of being a victim of its own success, as the sheer number of titles on the system often make it hard to tell the wheat from the chaff.

Nonetheless, it’s an easy soundbyte for a competitor to make, since Microsoft is clearly looking to emulate the iPhone’s success over the past few years with its Windows Phone overhaul. Apple zealots shouldn’t dismiss the challenge, however. The general consensus from commentators at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona this week is that Microsoft has made a good showing with its new OS, and that Windows Phone 7 excels when it comes to Apple’s specialty: clean and classy UI design.

If Ran’s comments are anything to go by, Microsoft is more than aware that Apple is its main rival.

“People tend to forget that this remains a highly dynamic industry when it comes to market share,” Ran said, when questioned whether Microsoft could really take on the likes of the iPhone.

“People are changing their phones every 12-18 months, so things can change quickly. Look at Siemens’ market share five years ago and now, or indeed iPhone and Android. It’s a very dynamic world, and users will vote with their choice.”

With the likes of stellar iPhone hit Flight Control already signed up to be on the Windows Marketplace, Apple could finally be in for some serious competition over the next couple of years.

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Industrial Toys has released it’s follow-up to the great Midnight Star. In Renegade, a much more casual game, the focus is on short bursts of play and the never-ending constant upgrading of weapons and gear. This game brings the great controls for a mobile FPS that the previous version had, but focuses less on the story and more on the frantic gameplay.

Heroes of Loot 2 is an update to the original that brings even more to love of the original. This time around the player chooses two player types to take into the dungeon, switching between them in the game as needed.

Heroes of Loot 2 is 50% off right now for launch.

After their job, of keeping the dungeons in balance, was done, our heroes needed a new job. Roaming the lands they found a call for heroes, a castle in need, possible even a damsel in distress?

Pick two heroes to take into the adventure, controlling both heroes and using their special skills to navigate the dangerous castle hallways, rooms and floors. Switching between the two characters to solve quests, puzzles, and of course clear the dungeons of all evil.

Human Resources Corporation, from some of the same fine folks that brought us World of Goo is a puzzle games that makes some of the basics of programming into a fun little exercise.

The premise is that the player is a new recruit in a corporation that need to tell other in game characters how to move and act by giving a set of program commands to complete tasks. It’s a great introduction to the logic used in programming and a fun little game with great personality. Which is expected considering the team that created this.

Temple Run 2 has done it again. Expanded into a whole new world with the Blazing Sands expansion. Available now in the game.

Touch Arcade notes:

It’s called “Blazing Sands,” and as you can see from the above trailer, you’ll be running through canyons along side raging rapids and Egyptian-y looking statues while marauding vines are smacking you in the face… Which really isn’t much of a surprise as vines in video games seem to be jerks almost 100% of the time. Of course there’s new stuff to unlock too between new outfits and Blazing Sands artifacts. If you collect ’em all, you’ll even get a swanky new hat.

From Martin Magni, the developer of the great Odd Bot Out, Mekorama hit the App Store this week. This charming puzzle game has the player guide a robot through a series of very unique 3D puzzles. The puzzles have shades of Monument Valley without the Escher inspired vibe.

One of the features that really sets this game apart from others is the integrated level editor. This lets players create their own levels and share them via a simple QR code integrated image. Take a look at the new levels shared on Twitter with the #Mekorama hashtag. I’ve even created one to test the path finding skills of that little robot.

Mekorama is free in the App Store with a pay what you want price model.

There have been a lot of games that have aped the style of Monument Valley, but not that have really gotten the idea and complexity of the game. That is until Evo Explores. Evo Explores really understand the game and does a great job of adding puzzle types to the original that it unashamedly takes inspiration from. It’s so good that members of the Monument Valley team have remarked how impressed they are.

But beside that, the game can stand on its own as well. It’s a great suspension of belief type puzzler with new and interesting mechanics and is just plain fun. The story that goes along is a little weak, but then again that’s just a small part of the game. Well worth a download.

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